Going into the 19th match of the campaign on Wednesday against Newcastle, United has already conceded 25 times, just eight short of the total in 38 games last year when the title was lost on goal difference.
United has managed to keep just three clean sheets this season, though one came in a 3-0 victory at Newcastle in October.
United defender Jonny Evans now says ``it was probably one of our best defensive performances of the season.''
Champion Manchester City might be four points behind United as it prepares to face Sunderland on Wednesday, but the second-place side's defense has only been breached 15 times so far.